Moore: The Presidential Election Is Not That Important
Monday, November 07, 2016
To what extent is our overall happiness level impacted by who is the President of the United States? In my opinion, it’s largely psychological.
Yet if you’ve been watching the news, particularly cable news programming, over the last year, one would think that the election would have to be the most important thing in your life. There have even been reports of people “unfriending” one another on various social media sites, particularly on Facebook, over political disagreements.
I wouldn’t assert that the presidential election isn’t important. Electing the most powerful person in the world is undeniably a very important decision. After all, the person can start wars, negotiate trade deals, and appoint Supreme Court Justices.
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But if your favorite candidate doesn’t win, it won’t be the end of the world. America will continue to be great. Entrepreneurs, the risk takers, the people who fund our government and make American freedom possible, will continue creating miracles on a daily basis. The private sector will survive, and in my opinion, thrive.
Nonprofit organizations will continue serving the needs of society’s most vulnerable. They’ll also continue working to create solutions to problems in society such as injustice.
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Our public servants--police officers, firefighters, and armed service members, will continue doing a superb job protecting and keeping us safe.
Americans will continue donating to charity--both with their money and their time. People will continue spending their time volunteering in animal shelters, food pantries, or at other social service agencies.
Folks will continue spend time and enjoy the company of friends and family--the sources of true wealth.
Most people’s happiness is based on their micro-level issues. I’m referring the strength of their interpersonal relationships, job satisfaction, and personal health. None of those things will be affected by tomorrow’s results.
Change? Not So Much
People who disagree with me will argue that Donald Trump’s immigration policies present real dangers to folks who aren’t here legally. However, I don’t believe Trump really intends to round up millions of people and deport them all. I think that his plan is mostly rhetoric intended to stir up passion for his base that believes such a plan would be logical, feasible or humane.
On the other side of the political spectrum, the people who dislike Hillary Clinton tell me that she will usher in corruption like America has never seen before. Like many others, I’m troubled by Clinton’s tendency to use public office to benefit her friends and personal interests, but I don’t think any continuation of that proclivity will impact the vast majority of Americans on a deep level.
There are few bigger political junkies than me, yet even I’ve been looking forward to tomorrow when the election will finally be over, and a winner will be declared. Believe me, whomever loses the election, most likely Donald Trump, will concede the election. It’s rare in world history, but in America, the peaceful transfer of power is the norm, and expected. The awesome tradition will continue.
I urge everyone to get out there tomorrow and vote your consciences. But don’t get too upset if the outcome doesn’t go your way. It’s not the end of the world.
Russell J. Moore has worked on both sides of the desk in Rhode Island media, both for newspapers and on political campaigns. Send him email @[email protected]. Follow him on twitter @russmoore713.
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